Back support and shoulder brace



Oct. 29, 1929. E. KOEBER BACK SUPPORT :ND SHOULDER BRACE Filed Feb. 26, V192.6

m Wil/111111111491 Patented oct. 29, 1929 .1,733,349

UNITED STATES PATENT 'oFFicE EDWARD KOEBER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS BACK SUPPORT AND SHOULDER BRACE Application filed February 26, 1926. Serial No. 90,734.

Myinventionrelatestofthereliefandcorrec- 2 are bent in their normal planes toward tion of deformities and relative displacements each other and pivoted at 3 so the two princiof the upper portion of the human body and pal members will be in spaced relation on the bony structures connected therewith; and each side of the spine when applied to the 5 it particularly relates to those defects which form. The upper ends may thus be spread 55 are the result of faulty habits of position and or closed as desired by means of special decarriage. vices such as hereinafter explained.

The object thereof is to provide means by The upper extremities of said stay pieces which positive and accurate adjusted moveshould also be outwardly bent or ared as inlo ment and pressure may be applied longitudidicated. Transverselinks7and8arepivotally 60 ally` on each side of vthe spine without direct attached to the stay pieces by the pivot pins 7 pressure thereon. It is a further object to coran-d 8. Shoulder straps 9 having pads 10 are rect minor displacements vand relative mal'- attached to the upper and flaring portions 5 positions of the vertebra, ribs, shoulder and 5 of the stay pieces by means of pivot blades and collar bone; to provide means bolts 12. T he free ends of said shoulder straps G5 which, within range of applicable size, may pass around the shoulders, as indicated, are be readily adapted to a great range of figures; received and secured by buckles 15 which are and which can be readily applied and adhinged to the outer ends of the transverse justed by the patient himself. And itis a -links 7 and 8 thus forming shoulder loops.

further object to provide a `brace which is A waist belt for securing the lower part of 70 'easy and comfortable to wear and which the device is provided in two sections 17, the gives support to weakened tissues and aid rear portions of which are attached by pivots in cultivating and producing a graceful and 18 to the lower portions of the stay pieces, and upright carriage. the free frontl ends are adjustably connected The principles of my invention are illusby a buckle 19 or other similar device. 75 trated in the drawings in which Fig. 1 shows The shoulder loops and belt provide means a perspective view of my invention as ap- Vby which the brace, as awhole, may be placedplied in practice and adapted to correct the and held in primary unadjusted position deformity of round shoulders. The f-olupon the form of the wearer.

39 lowing figures' Yare in relatively largerv pro- The iina-l adjustment and application is portion: Fig. 2 isa side view looked at made by means of straps, preferably of webfrom the left; Figs. 3 and l represent views bing, 2O and 25 which are attached to the of the tensioning` apparatus as opened and stay pieces 1 and 2 by pivot pins 21 and 2G. closed respectively 3 Figs. 5 and 6 represent Identically formed securing devices 22 and y a securing device forming part of the tension- 27 are hinged to the inner ends of the trans- S5 A ing apparatus in respectively the free and verse links 7 and 8. The said devices, as inclosed position as shown on the dotted lines dicated in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, may consist 5-5 and 6---6 o f Figures 3 and l; and Fig. 7 of an oblong frame 30 and a fastening meinis a section on the line,7'-7 of Fig. 1. l ber 31 having end loops 32 which are mounted 40 Further describing my invention by refupon the end pieces of the frame and upon 90 erence tothe drawings'in which like characwhich said fastening member 31 has free ters ofreference denote like parts throughsliding movement. n out: The principal membersforming stay The inner faces of the stay pieces 1 and pieces are two in number and are indicated 2 are provided with pads 11. wide enough to by the numerals 1 and 2. Theyrconsist of reextend laterally beyond the edges of the stay 95 silient metal strips primarily shaped to con pieces. hese may be as shown in the drawform to the natural curves of the spine and ings in a single piece extending from end are of such flexibility as may be best suited to end of the stay pieces and which may be to the vcharacter of the support desired or secured to the stay pieces by the rivets or correction needed; Thelower ends 1 and pivot bolts 12, 21, 26, 7 and S', or they may 100 'understood that' the strap 25'w1ll be passedto be separately made and additionally secured tothe stay pieces. But it will be noted that by positively enclosing the pivoted ends of the'shoulder straps 9, the webbing straps 2O and 25 and the body portions of the transverse links, between the stay pieces and the pads, practically smooth and unimpeded movement: of the parts is assured.

To illustrate the operation of' thedevice, assuming that it is placed in primary-.position, the shoulder loops and-belt being loosely in place but with the webbing strips 2O and 25 substantially inV the positionsl indicated'. in Figs. 3 and 4l, leaving the stayA pieces spread at their upper ends. Fig. 3 showstheflocking device turned back on the transverse link, as

indicated'in cross section in Fig. A5, and with the strap 2() passing freely through the same and extending to the right to be grasped by the right hand of the wearer. It will'be the left through asimilar device and grasped by the left hand of the wearer. The free ends ofthe saidwebbing straps20 and 25 are then changed from hand tohand by the wearer,

as shown in Fig.' 1,1-, and drawn at any desired tension to the positions shown in Fig. l therebybringing the stay pieces into as vclose proximity to eachother as desiredl The securing devices take' up the slack as-it' occurs, as indicated in Fig. 6, and the free ends forconvenience are then secured together in' front of the body by thebuckle 35 in conformity withv the adjustment. of the stay pieces as setv forth;

It will be` understood that details of construction may` be changed or varied as desired, especially in regard to the specilic form or means employed by which thel fastening: straps are' secured to the' person ofthe wearer.V

l. In a back support and shoulder brace, the combination. of" a plurality of back-supporting resilient stay pieces connected to each other by a pivot atV their extreme lower ends and separated thereabove to provide'lateral support conformable to the normal conformationsof the humanspi'ne, shoulder loops adjustably'attachedto the'upperends of said stay piecesfa'nd means operatively Vattached tothe said stay pieces for moving the upper portions thereof on said pivot relatively to each other whereby the shoulders of a-wearer may be held-in adjusted position.-

2.1I'n-a backsupport and shoulder brace;.

the combination of a plurality of resilient stay pieces pivotally attached to and spaced from eachother at their eXtreme lower ends, said'stay pieces beingI so separated from each other on their facing edges as to provide lateral'support conformable to the normal con-V vformations of the human spine, a plurality of straps having their ends'connected with the stay pieces toform shoulder loops, and a securing device attached to the upper portions of each of said stay pieces adapted tobe connected with the other stay piece and secure the shoulder loops in adjusted relation to each other.

3. In a back support and shoulder brace; the combination of a plurality of stay pieces pivotally attached to and spaced from each other at their lower ends so as'to allow normally freemovement ofthe upper ends, links extending transversely across each one of said stay pieces and pivoted thereto, buckles onV the outer ends of said links, straps having one endpivotedto-the ends of said stay pieces and having the other end attached to said buckles to form` shoulder" loops, securing devices hinged to theinner ends of said links, and straps eachV having' one end pivot'ed to one ofthe stay pieces-above one of the'links'and passing through the securing `device hinged to the link onthe other'stay piece.

/ll In aback support andshoulder brace; the combination of a pluralityofA stay pieces pivotally attached to and spaced fromeach otherv at their lower ends so as to-allow normally free movementof the upperends, links extending transversely-across each onefof said stay pieces andfpivoted thereto, buckles on the outer endsofsadlinks, straps having one end pivotedto the ends of saidstay pieces and having the other end attached tol said buckles to form shoulder` loops,'securing devices Vhinged to 'the inner 'ends ofi said links, straps each having one `end pivotedftoone of the staypieces above one of the links and passing through the' securing'device hinged` to the linkon the other stay piece, y'so that when the free ends of: said straps are connected about the body offthe wearerthe same will form substan'tiallyY a continuous-connection" withsaid links andthe shoulderloops con` nected therewith.v s

5.I`n` ashoulder brace andb'ack supportiV having resilient bracing strips; the combination therewith ofv shoulder loops, transverseY liuks, pivotsto secure saidlinks to said brac! ing strips, andpads substantially conformed to the bracing strips and secured-thereto by saidpivots sothat the transverse linksimay freely move on said'pivot's between thebracing strips andthe pads.-

6. In aback support andshoulder'brace;V a plurality of Aresilient staypieces spaced from ably and independently connectingeach stay Y each other, means includingV a pivotfor at-V i piece to the form of a wearer, and locking devices on one stay piece and connected to the other stay piece for moving? them on said pivot and locking thern in adjusted positions.

8. In a back support and shoulder brace; a plurality of resilient stay pieces having a connecting pivot at their lower ends, independent Ineans on each stay piece for adjustably and independently connecting each stay piece to the form of a wearer, the combination therewith of adjustment straps, each having one end attached to one of the stay pieces, and adjustable securing devices connected with each stay piece adapted to receive and lock the adjustment strap of the other stay piece when turned theretoward and to release the said adjustment strap when turned therefrom.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set Iny hand at Chicago, Illinois, this 15th day of February, 1926.

EDWARD KOEBER. 

